In a secret chamber in the Nara Clan Territory.
Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Choza Akimichi-the heads of the three Ino-Shika-Cho clans-were gathered together.
"Shikaku, what do you think?"
Inoichi Yamanaka spoke first.
Choza Akimichi stuffed a potato chip into his mouth and chewed particularly hard, as though venting his feelings.
Shikaku Nara leaned against the back of his chair, his hands clasped beneath his chin, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
"The old man... must have been controlled."
He spoke slowly, his tone certain.
"What?"
Choza Akimichi stopped chewing.
"The Mangekyō Sharingan has all sorts of strange abilities. Shisui Uchiha risked his life to get close to the Third on the battlefield. There had to be a purpose."
Shikaku Nara analyzed the situation. "And the Third's change in attitude afterward was far too abrupt-do you remember when the Fourth Hokage was in office? The old man had stepped back then, but he still held actual control over the ANBU, the advisory council, and even many key departments."
Realization dawned on Inoichi Yamanaka.
"Right... Minato Namikaze was Hokage in name, but many decisions still needed Hiruzen Sarutobi's approval."
"Would someone who refused to relinquish full power even to his own student, the Fourth Hokage he personally chose, suddenly hand the Hokage position over willingly to the Uchiha he had always guarded against?"
Shikaku Nara sneered. "Only if the sun rose in the west."
Choza Akimichi scratched his head. "But didn't the Hyuga clan head examine him with the Byakugan and say there were no traces of genjutsu?"
"That's what makes the Mangekyō so frightening."
Shikaku Nara sighed. "With ordinary genjutsu, chakra invades the pathways in the brain, making it easy for the Byakugan to detect. But the Mangekyō's ocular techniques... especially an ability that might involve altering someone's will, could